It is some years since I had the pleasure of seeing China Crisis. I recall seeing them in the 1980s supporting simple minds at Newcastle City Hall and (I think, but can’t be certain) at Redcar Coatham Bowl one Sunday night, when I used to go there regularly in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Of course I remember some of the better known songs such as “Black Man Ray”, “Wishful Thinking” and “King in a Catholic Style”, but to my shame have to admit that I recall little else about this band. However, they were performing at my lovely local venue The Fire Station so I decided to go along and see what I had been missing for many years.
From the fire station website: “A welcome return to The Fire Station for China Crisis [now how did I miss out on that one?] China Crisis were never your run-of-the-mill 80s pop band. Formed in Liverpool by singer Gary Daly and guitarist Eddie Lundon, they distilled their love of David Bowie and Steely Dan into an exquisitely melancholy post-punk sound that saw them win their just chart rewards. Has there ever been a more wistful Top 10 hit than the charming Wishful Thinking?”
“Their hero Walter Becker – of Steely Dan fame – was so impressed he even became a band member back in 1985, producing and playing on Top 10 album Flaunt the Imperfection, and returning for 1989’s hugely acclaimed Diary of a Hollow Horse. And, all the while, the hits kept rolling in… Christian, Black Man Ray and King in a Catholic Style all made their way into the UK Top 20.”
This tour was billed as the 40th anniversary of their album Fire and Steel and the first half of the evening was spent taking this through this LP (or at least they were LPs in my day) track by track with Gary Daly explaining and discussing the history of each song in a quite comical and entertaining manner. The two main members of the band clearly remain very close friends and the banter between them was extremely funny.
After a short break and time for a pint of Guinness in the Engine Room bar next door, we were treated to a set of greatest hits including the aforementioned “King in a Catholic Style” and “Black Man Ray”. By now everyone was up on their feet dancing and singing along, very much under the direction of Gary. The entire concert was accompanied by some stunning visuals on the screen above the band, taken from video of China Crisis in their 1980s prime. It was interesting to compare the young lads in the video images with the more mature guys standing in front, and talking, to us.
Elaine and I both agreed it was an excellent concert and a great night out. I ran into a few old friends which is always nice and it was good to catch up with people. A lovely evening, with a fun band (much underrated) in a great venue. I was back home and in bed within 30 minutes. Magic. A perfect Saturday night out.
Setlist: Set 1. The album Working With Fire and Steel: When the Piper Calls; Hanna Hanna; Animals in Jungles; Here Comes a Raincloud ; Wishful Thinking; Tragedy and Mystery; Papua; The Gates of Door to Door; The Soul Awakening
Set 2. African and White; Arizona Sky; You Did Cut Me; Black Man Ray; King in a Catholic Style; Christian; Diary of a Hollow Horse.
I saw this show around a month ago at Whitley Bay Playhouse. However, I was tempted to go along again for one reason: to see one of my all-time heroes Steve Ellis, formerly of the Love Affair, who had been added to the lineup this time. The rest of the bands are also fun anyway so all good! No programme to buy this time as I already had one from the previous show.
First up were The Fortunes who sang several of their hits including my favourite: “Here It Comes Again”
“A thumb goes up, a car goes by, It’s nearly 1 AM and here am I
Closing the first set was my main reason for going. I have told this story before but here it is again! When I was around 12 or 13 years old, I had several heroes. These included of course the Beatles and the Stones. However, on a Saturday morning I would attend a kids disco at Sunderland Top Rank Suite (The Rink). I would try and dress like a young mod and I modelled myself on Barry Ryan, Steve Marriott and the man who I went to see: the one and only main mod man Steve Ellis, the original lead vocalist and founder of Love Affair who had five Top 20 singles including: “Rainbow Valley”, “Bringing On Back The Good Times”, “A Day Without Love” and their classic No.1 “Everlasting Love”. Steve still looks and sounds great. Very much the Cockney swagger growing old disgracefully mod. He performed all of the aforementioned songs, and also included a great cover of Small Faces’ “All or Nothing” in tribute to “the boys” and the other Steve (Marriott).
I have seen Steve many times over the years including as lead singer of his own band Ellis, at Newcastle City Hall supporting the Groundhogs, and fronting Widowmaker at Newcastle Mayfair and opening for The Who at Charlton football ground in 1976. Steve made reference to the Top Rank and playing there over 50 years ago which, he told us, was the last time he played in Sunderland. Actually, I remember that particular concert although I was sadly a little too young to attend. My friends older sister went along and told us all how great it was. It must have been sometime around 1968. I would have been 11 years old at the time. The girl in question went to a string of concerts, I think they were on a Thursday night, and from my great memories I seem to recall that she saw Small Faces, Amen Corner and Love Affair all around the same time. I was so jealous when she told me how great each band was on our way to school on the morning. Anyway, Steve is still out there, knocking out the hits and is still THE MAN.
“For goodness sake, I got the hippy hippy shakes
“Zabadak, Zabadak, Karakakora kakarakak
I have lots of fond memories of seeing 
Further on in his career, I was lucky enough to see Eurythmics perform at Newcastle City Hall. I also recall seeing Dave Stewart join Fergal Sharkey on stage for an encore at Newcastle City Hall, on Fergal’s first solo tour after leaving the Undertones.
I then saw Dave with Ringo Starr at the opening of the Capital of Culture in Liverpool, which was also the opening concert at the new venue, Liverpool Arena. Since then, I have seen him perform at a couple of homecoming concerts, one previous concert at Sunderland Empire and more recently at the new Sunderland music venue The Fire Station. All great shows and great memories.
This time Dave Stewart returned to Sunderland Empire to perform another homecoming show, this time showcasing “the Eurythmics Songbook” drawing from his back catalogue of great songs which he wrote with Annie Lennox. The theatre was, quite rightly, jampacked and everyone was excited about seeing Dave Stewart back home performing those great classic tunes. I met many good friends at the concert; it was nice to catch up on old times.
Dave Stewart has done pretty well for a lad from Sunderland. He has sold in excess of 100 million albums worldwide. He has also played with some of the biggest names in the business. It is great that he remembers his roots, and this return home concert was much anticipated by the people of Sunderland. The Sunderland Empire advertised the show thus: “Eurythmics Songbook tour marks the first time in more than 20 years that fans can see a full length show of Eurythmics classics – performed on tour by Stewart and a full live band.
Featuring Dave alongside an all-female band of virtuoso singers and musicians, the tour promises to take fans on a nostalgic and electrifying musical journey spanning four decades of the iconic musical partnership’s ground-breaking hits. Celebrating a remarkable 40 years since the release of the timeless Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), Eurythmics, known for their unique blend of synth-pop, new wave, soul and rock, have sold over 75 million albums worldwide since their 1980’s debut and have become enduring icons of popular music.”
As mentioned above, Stewart has assembled an all–female band of excellent musicians and singers who helped him perform the Eurythmics hits. The singers, one of whom was Dave’s daughter, were all tremendous and delivered the goods in recreating and reimagining the vocals performed previously by Annie Lennox.
Dave was resplendent in silver suit, but still very much a Sunderland lad. He reminisced of going to the Mecca and old times in Sunderland. Very much a front man for much of the show, Dave Stewart also alternated between centre stage and stepping back, allowing the great musicians around him to take the lead.
The evening was brought to a close with an encore of “Sweet Dreams”, accompanied by a deluge of red-and-white (of course) tickertape falling from the rafters. Very appropriate. By now the entire Empire crowd was up on its feet, singing along, going absolutely crazy. Another great evening spent with a true Sunderland legend. Bought myself a T-shirt as a memento, which I am proudly wearing today as I write this.
Setlist: Take Me to Your Heart / Never Gonna Cry Again / The Walk / This City Never Sleeps; It’s Alright (Baby’s Coming Back); Love Is a Stranger; I Love You Like a Ball and Chain; I Need a Man; You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart; I Saved the World Today; Who’s That Girl?; There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart); The Miracle of Love; Thorn in My Side; When Tomorrow Comes; Here Comes the Rain Again; When the Day Goes Down; Missionary Man; Would I Lie to You?; Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves; Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
I am not sure who suggested going. Maybe it was my sister-in-law Elaine or carer Jan, who both accompanied me to the show. Never mind, thank you to whichever one of you it was. I don’t think I would have gone along to 
The tour publicity heralded the concert thus: “The King is back! One of the most unique concert experiences of recent years is set to return for 2023 having won the hearts of critics and fans a-like, as Elvis is set once again to be back, in an arena near you! The full-scale concert brings the King up close on screen alongside the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra live on stage performing the King of Rock and Roll’s most well-known “rocking” songs and his tender, heart-wrenching ballads, with a special guest to be announced in due course. A show like no other, expect an overwhelmingly encapsulating and enthralling evening!
This is the only chance to experience the man who changed the course of popular music, selling an unparalleled 1 billion records worldwide, his popularity unwavering as the critical and commercial success of the Baz Luhrman produced biopic Elvis showed us in cinemas this year! The collaboration between the music of Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra has spearheaded an incredible phenomenon, with new orchestral arrangements of the music of the most legendary artists of all time being presented with the original recordings of the artists’ own voice which led to three huge-selling and critically acclaimed albums (If I Can Dream, The Wonder of You, and Christmas with Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).
With Elvis never having toured the UK, or performing with a full sized orchestra as were two of his dreams, these shows are a chance to both honour the legacy of an icon who has defined popular culture for over half a century, and for fans to see ‘The King’ live, who never had the chance to before.”
I have always been a fan of Elvis. Ever since I was very young and bought copies of “King Creole” and “Heartbreak Hotel” on 78 from a local second hand shop. I played and played those records. I then saw the 1968 Comeback Show on TV at some point and was totally knocked out by the guy, his energy, swagger, style and voice. Without Elvis, would we have The Beatles, and modern day rock ‘n’ roll? Who knows. I also remember buying “In the Ghetto” when it was in the charts. I love that record to this day.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra took to the stage to a loud round of applause. A large screen behind the orchestra displayed the initials “EP” to remind us of what we were about to experience. They performed “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” with the lyrics displayed on the big-screen. The orchestra was augmented by a band with an excellent guitarist and a group of very soulful singers. Next, another large screen descended from the rafters and Elvis, from Las Vegas, was singing “Burning Love” to us. The sound was amazing and this was the start of a wonderful journey through the life of Elvis Presley. Possibly the greatest singer and artist the world has ever seen.
We were taken through a range of Elvis classics including “Trouble”, “That’s All Right Mama”, “Hound Dog” and “Heartbreak Hotel” with footage alternating between early and mid-1970s Las Vegas performances to film from the aforementioned 1968 Comeback TV Show triumph. All of this reminded me of how great a performer the man was. I can’t quite recall the order of proceedings but there was a short interval during which I had a lovely tray of chips (lots of salt) having had a pint of beer on the way in. I also purchased a T-shirt which I am proudly wearing as I type this with my speech software and a programme (pictured).
There was a tour of Graceland, courtesy of Elvis’ old friend who now manages the estate (I would love to visit) and the voice of Priscilla Presley talking about her life with Elvis while images of Priscilla, Elvis, a young Lisa Marie and happy family memories were shown.
The aforementioned “Suspicious Minds” had everyone up on their feet dancing and singing. They remained so for the rest of the performance which closed with the magnificent “American Trilogy” from Las Vegas and “If I Can Dream” from the 1968 TV show. Very emotional stuff. Much, much better than I had expected.
Setlist: Burning Love; Welcome To My World; Steamroller Blues; Fever; You Gave Me A Mountain; You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me; I Just Can’t Help Believing; Just Pretend; You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling; Amazing Grace; I Can’t Help Falling In Love; In The Ghetto; How Great Thou Art; Bridge Over Troubled Water; Trouble/Guitar Man; That’s Alright Mama; Hound Dog; Don’t Be Cruel; Heartbreak Hotel; Are You Lonesome Tonight; All Shook Up; Blue Suede Shoes; Memories; Love Me Tender; The Wonder Of You; Suspicious Minds; What Now My Love; Big Hunk Of Love; American Trilogy; If I Can Dream.
Another 60s show. No apologies this time. You know what, I enjoy the old hits and it doesn’t seem to matter anymore as to whether there are original members or not. I guess we return to my old question “When is a band not a band?”.
The bands on show here, as far as I can ascertain, contain only one original member between them all. But more on this later. I went along with carer Elaine and my old friend Norman and you know what? We all greatly enjoyed the “Sensational 60s Experience” and I knew every song! And this 60s concert even had a proper compere, just like a 60s package tour should. He looked great with lovely long blonde hair. I will use some of the tour blurb to describe each band and then will add my own comments on the lineup and the performance.
Opening the show were: “
“
Closing the first half were: “
Opening the second part of the show were: “
Closing the show were: “
Yes, I know it isn’t really rock, but it is still fun! A few years ago, I vowed never to attend a 60s revival tour again. I found them cringy; and full of really old people dancing in a very embarrassing way! Roll on some years and I have gone back on my decision. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, I realise that I love 60s music and it was the soundtrack to my childhood and early youth. Secondly, I have lost any concerns of going to see bands with very few, or no, original members. I now take the view that I will enjoy the songs, even the lineup is not 100% authentic. Finally, I am now myself a really old person and I fit in with the crowd! So let the fun begin. This was the 
Darlington Hippodrome is a lovely old theatre which I have visited several times over the years, including taking my daughter to see the Chuckle Brothers in pantomime. Good fun! This time I was going to witness a collection of bands from the 1960s. There were 7 acts in the concert so it was jampacked and very tightly timed.
First up was the 
The 2nd group was 
Next up was someone who is 100% authentic, 82 years old and still in great voice. 
Closing the first set was my main reason for going. Now when I was around 12 or 13 years old, I had several heroes. These included of course the Beatles and the Stones. However, on a Saturday morning I would attend a kids disco at Sunderland Top Rank Suite (The Rink). I would try and dress like a young mod and I modelled myself on Barry Ryan, Steve Marriott and the man who I was about to see: the one and only main mod man 
Opening the second half of the show was 
Next, we were treated to a performance of Searchers hits performed by current member 
Closing the show was the consummate professional 
I have been meaning to go and see 
The press release for the new tour announced: “Lloyd Cole will release a new album, ‘On Pain’, on 23rd June ’23 on the earMUSIC label. ‘On Pain’ is Lloyd’s twelfth album as a solo artist and features eight new Lloyd Cole songs, four of which are co-written by Commotions founding members Blair Cowan and Neil Clark, who also perform on the record. The album is produced by Chris Merrick Hughes and was recorded in Lloyd’s attic studio The Establishment.” Lloyd is now based in the USA and this tour is to promote the new album.
Our friendly taxidriver took us right to the door, which was handy as it was pouring down with rain. We took our seats close to the front with a great view, just in time for the show to begin.
Set 1. Lloyd took to the stage, dressed very smart, entirely in white, alone with his acoustic guitar. His songs spanned his career, from his days with the Commotions, through to his latest album. This guy has a massive back catalogue and also a massive fan base. The theatre was almost full. Gradually, band members joined him, including a guitarist, keyboard player and a drummer. The keyboard player, Blair Cowan and guitarist Neil Clark have been with Lloyd since the early Commotions days.
By the end of this set, the full band was on stage and the performance had morphed from acoustic to electric. The songs were unfamiliar to me, but very pleasant. I was trying, in my mind, to categorise his music but found it difficult to do so: melodic, pleasant, perhaps with a smattering of country? Whatever, I enjoyed listening to these songs for the first time. At the end of the set, I was greeted by two former colleagues and we had a good chat about rock music and concerts attended. I also met a new fellow concert goer and her husband. I passed them my card which has the address of this blog. I do hope you have found my blog and can read this. Hello! (I love to find new subscribers). Time for a double Jack Daniels and ginger. Very appropriate and lovely.
I perused the merchandise stand but there were no T-shirts to buy. There was a tempting lyric sheet which the guy on the stand promised that Lloyd would be signing after the show. I held off buying one, and decided to wait and see when the concert ended and if there was still time to purchase one then.
Set list (something like this): Undressed; Mr. Malcontent; My Other Life; No Blue Skies; Night Sweats; Minor Character; Violins; Blue Like Mars; Mister Wrong; Pay for It; Perfect Skin; Wolves; Perfect Blue; The Flipside; Myrtle and Rose; Like Lovers Do; The Idiot; Brand New Friend; Forest Fire; The Young Idealists; Mainstream
It was 1966. I was 9 years old and my parents took me to London for a week, to “see the sights”. It was so exciting to visit the capital as a youngster. We had a full, packed agenda of activities that my dad planned for us. Madame Tussauds, The Planetarium, London Zoo, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Ken Dodd and the Diddymen at the Palladium and a visit to the trendy, fab, gear (using the terminology of the time) clothes shops of Carnaby Street.
There were probably others I have forgotten. Running through my head were songs of the time: “She Loves You” by the Beatles, “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones, “Dedicated Follower of Fashion” by the Kinks and “Bus Stop” by 
I have been lucky enough to see The Hollies many times over the years from the Alan Clarke days, through his replacement the Move’s the late Carl Wayne incarnation of the band and for the last 20 years “new boy” Peter Howarth as front man. They remain great to this day. The only original members remaining are drummer Bobby Elliott and guitarist Tony Hicks (a very underrated guitarist in my view). Bobby sits at the back providing the foundation for the music and Tony plays impeccable electric guitar, banjo (particularly on “Stop, Stop, Stop”) and electric sitar.
And yes he still looks as young as ever. The rest of the musicians include Ray Styles on bass, formerly of Mud, providing excellent accompaniment to the vocals, led by Peter Howarth who now has gelled to become an integral part of the band. With the Hollies it was always about the harmonies, great songs, and great vocals. And that still remains the case today.
So, another encounter with an old favourite who, as expected, delivered an evening of great hits. I knew every song and so many memories, including that visit to London, ran through my head. This group was the soundtrack of my youth and into the early 1970s.
Time for a quick Jack Daniels and back to our seats at the rear of the hall for the second part of the concert. The opener was a lesser-known song, but another favourite of mine “The Day That Curly Billy Shot Down Crazy Sam McGee” followed by more classics “Yes I Will” and here it comes….the one and only “Bus Stop”. My evening was complete already. But the hits kept coming: “I’m Alive” (their only number 1 single), “The Baby” which was recorded during a period when Alan Clarke left the band for a short hiatus and was replaced by singer Mikael Rickfors, the Bruce Springsteen song “Sandy”, the tale about a belly dancer in a nightclub and a drunken evening which precedes “Stop, Stop, Stop” and then onwards to the closing songs “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”, “The Air That I Breathe” and the closest The Hollies ever got to rock ‘n’ roll “Long Cool Woman in A Black Dress”. Another wonderful evening spent in the majestic 
Setlist: Set A: King Midas in Reverse / I Can’t Let Go; Jennifer Eccles; Sorry Suzanne; On a Carousel; Gasoline Alley Bred; Magic Woman Touch; Weakness; Here I Go Again; I Can’t Tell the Bottom From the Top; We’re Through; Just One Look; Stay; Look Through Any Window.
Another exciting concert at the local venue, 
In this special performance, modern-day icons 
Drawing from a songbook full of classics like ‘Walkin’ After Midnight’ and ‘Crazy’, you’ll hear the crème de la crème of country pop from some of the finest performers around. With songs spanning romance, heartbreak and drama – with a good dollop of joy – this is set to be a real sonic and visual feast. Cowboy boots optional.” (Drat I forgot to wear my cowboy boots: and I have a pair in the cupboard!)
This was an eclectic mix of artists and music. I am a big fan of Richard Hawley having seen him perform at the same venue a few months ago. I have heard of John Grant but I can’t claim to know much about the man or his music. And of course, I am very aware of the legacy of the legendary Patsy Cline and her country songs, many of which are tinged with sadness.
The venue was full as is often the case these days, and John Grant took centre stage with Richard Hawley and his band providing the music. Richard played some tremendous twangy, rock ‘n’ roll guitar; reminding me a little of Dick Dale and his surf guitar.
John Grant is a truly entertaining front man and did justice to Patsy Cline’s wonderful repertoire. I recognised many of the songs including the well-known “Crazy” which John reminded us was written by Willie Nelson. I had somehow forgotten that fact, but it jogged my memory of witnessing the great Willie perform the song. He also did a heartrending version of Hank Williams’ “Your Cheating Heart”. I also recognised quite a few of the songs, in particular “Blue Moon of Kentucky” and “I Fall to Pieces”. Richard was very much the consummate side kick, effortlessly providing superb guitar accompaniment to the songs. A lovely evening with two true artists in a venue which is rapidly becoming extremely popular.
Setlist: (something like this): These Crazy Arms; Never No More; Walking After Midnight; There He Goes; Just Out Of Reach; Loose Talk; I Fall to Pieces; Yes, I Understand; Heartaches; Strange; Sweet Dreams (Of You); You’re Stronger Than Me; So Wrong; Your Cheatin’ Heart; Leavin’ On Your Mind; Crazy; Seven Lonely Days; Blue Moon Of Kentucky.
Vocalist and songwriter Ricky Ross is raring to go on this celebration of Deaon Blue’s brilliant and loyal fans, roaring the Caledonian gospel from the South Coast to the Uplands. He said: “We’ve decided to play a Greatest Hits show with a difference,” he says. “Yes, we intend to play all (or nearly all) the old 45s, but we also want the first half of the evening to be an intimate acoustic performance, the band gathered round the piano with acoustic guitars and whatever Dougie decides to hit. We’ll play some album tracks and reinterpret a few favourites from the back catalogue. We’ll take a short break then come back and make a lot of noise. We hope you can be part of that noise.
Ricky Ross, co-vocalist Lorraine McIntosh, Dougie Vipond (drums), Jim Prime (keyboards), Gregor Philp (guitar) and Lewis Gordon (bass) will breathe new life into well-loved songs.”
Time for a quick whiskey before the second half. The second half was a massive singalong for the crowd with everyone joining in with all the songs, many of which I recognised. I had not realised how many hits this band has had. Of course, even I recognised and sang along to “Real Gone Kid” and, during the encore “Dignity”. I really enjoyed the concert.
Setlist: Set 1: Acoustic: Queen of the New Year; S.H.A.R.O.N.; Chocolate Girl; I Will and I Won’t; Cover From the Sky; A New House; I’ll Never Fall in Love Again; All Over the World.
Encore: Peace Will Come; Dignity; Fergus Sings the Blues; Keep Me in Your Heart
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